I love pie. All pie. But pumpkin pie is probably my favorite. If I stopped at just one piece of pie I'd be fine, but I don't. During the next two months I could easily eat two whole pies all by myself! I know it isn't a very good idea and each year I promise myself I'll only have one piece at Thanksgiving and one piece at Christmas. And, for the record, I have never succeeded. I'm the kind of person who, once I have eaten one piece there's no stopping me or I avoid a piece all together and therefore succeeding. Why can't I just have a piece and call it a day? I had to find a better way to succeed and I think I have this year! If I could eat pumpkin pie that wasn't so fat/carb/calorie laden perhaps having more than one serving wouldn't be so bad. I hit the Internet in search of the perfect pumpkin pie and was amazed at what I found!Heart Healthy Pumpkin-Maple PiePrep Time: 25 minsCook Time: 45 minsTotal Time: 1 h 10 mins

Prepare Lower-Fat Oil Pastry. On a lightly floured surface flatten pastry. Roll into a 12-inch circle. Wrap pastry circle around the rolling pin; unroll into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pan, being careful not to stretch pastry. Trim to ½ inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry. Crimp the edge as desired. Do not prick pastry.

For the filling, in a medium bowl combine the pumpkin, maple-flavored syrup, flour, sugar substitute, and pumpkin pie spice; add egg product. Beat lightly with a rotary beater or fork until just combined. Gradually stir in evaporated milk and vanilla; mix well.

Place pastry-lined pie plate on oven rack. Carefully pour filling into pastry shell. To prevent over browning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in a 375? oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil. Bake 20 to 25 minutes more or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate within 2 hours. If desired, serve with dessert topping.

Obviously, there are endless ways to eat pumpkin pie even while keeping an eye on your heart's health; one simply needs to Google healthy pumpkin pie recipes or heart healthy pumpkin pie to net a wide variety of options.

I am ...

... a former blogger for a health site, which means eating healthy aka heart smart
which has become a passion for me. I will start at the beginning when I first
discovered I had high cholesterol.
Blogger's Note: First and foremost, please do not go off any meds if
you are currently taking something for high cholesterol! It is critical
that you follow your doctor’s orders. I am NOT a doctor nor am I
experienced enough to provide you with advice.

This blog is simply my journal of how I lowered my cholesterol.
I am working with a doctor ... but, should you ask him he’d probably
say he worked for me, which is true and should be ... in my opinion.

The things I have changed have worked for me and may work for you, but
as I said, I’m not telling you to stop taking any meds your physician
has prescribed for you, but to talk to him about some options you are
willing to consider.